An experienced motorcyclist from Scunthorpe who died in a head-on collision on the A18 was on the wrong side of the road at the time, an inquest has heard.

Chris Gough, who had ridden motorcycles for over 30 years, was on his way home from work at Laceby when his BMW collided with a car as he came out of a left hand bend at the village of Limber close to Humberside Airport.

As an inquest said the reason why he was on the wrong side of the road will never be known, colleagues paid tribute to Mr Gough saying he was dearly missed.

The inquest at Lincoln Cathedral Centre was told that Mr Gough, who was travelling towards Scunthorpe from Marshall BMW dealership in Laceby, may have miscalculated his position in the road around 4.30pm on Sunday, January 8.

Police at the scene of the accident on the A18 (Image: Rick Byrne)

Jason Barry, the driver of the oncoming Renault Megane involved in the collision, attempted to swerve out of the way when he realised the high-powered motorcycle was heading towards him, but the machine struck the front offside of his car.

Mr Gough, 51, was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered multiple injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Collision investigator, PC Stuart Cooke, of Lincolnshire Police told the hearing: "Mr Gough was travelling from his work in Grimsby back to his home address. Mr Barry was on his way from Manchester back to Skegness.

"Mr Barry has approached the right hand bend. Mr Gough was riding in the opposite direction exiting the left hand downhill bend.

"Mr Gough was exiting the bend on the wrong side of the carriageway. Mr Barry has done everything possible to avoid a collision.

Chris Gough who died when his motorcycle collided head on with a car on the A18

"It is possible Mr Gough has misjudged the bend by entering it too fast. It is also possible that he entered the bend at the correct speed and mis-positioned himself. It is possible he just hasn't applied enough steering to keep himself on the correct side of the road.

"Mr Barry did everything possible to move his vehicle out of the motorcycle's path. Despite his efforts the motorcycle has hit the front of the car."

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PC Cooke told the inquest that a road sign warning of the bend on the carriageway in which Mr Gough was riding was obscured by a two metre high hedge which at the time was in the process of being cut back. The hedge has since been trimmed back to a maximum height of one metre.

He added: "Mr Gough would have known the road and would be aware the bend was coming up."

PC Cooke said that nine other injury collisions had occurred at the bend since 1985 including four in which serious injury was caused.

Police at the scene of the accident on the A18 near to Humberside Airport (Image: Rick Byrne)

He said six of the nine collisions involved vehicles crossing into the wrong carriageway and the fact that the sign was obscured may have been a factor in some of those incidents.

Marianne Johnson, in delivering her verdict, said: "My conclusion is that Mr Gough died as a result of a road traffic collision.

"We just don't know why he was where he was on the day of the collision. We will never know the answer to that.

"We do know that he was a competent motorcyclist. He knew the road relatively well and travelled on it on a regular basis to and from work. He was an experienced motorcyclist. There is nothing in the evidence to suggest he was driving in anything other than a competent manner."

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He said: "The tragedy has caused great sadness. Chris has left a huge hole behind with colleagues. He was more a friend than just a colleague. He had only recently moved back to Marshall BMW Grimsby after being a car sales executive at Scunthorpe for six years. I have known him for longer than that and he was a good friend."

In tribute following the tragedy Paul Craig William Drury posted a message: “Rip Chris Gough you were an amazing dad, grandad and brother, my heart goes out to each and every member of your family love from all my family xxxx.”

Vicky Kusners said: “Rip Chris, you touched a part of all our hearts xxx a good one taken far too soon.”